Predatory nature of human existence

1. Nearly all characters admit they feel lonely and isolated. • Each wants a friend, but will settle for a stranger who listens. • Isolation makes the characters weak. • However, even when characters are weak they desire to hurt those who are even weaker than they. • Oppression does not only come from the hands of the strong and powerful. It also comes from those who are weak. • The novel suggests the most obvious form of strength –oppression- is born of weakness. • Hence why some of you might pity Curley, even though he never tells anyone in the book that he is lonely. Predatory nature of human existence

2. fra·ter·ni·ty •    [fruh-tur-ni-tee]  Show IPA • –noun, plural -ties.1.a local or national organization of male students, primarily for social purposes, usually with secret initiation and rites and a name composed of two or three Greek letters. • 2.a group of persons associated by or as if by ties of brotherhood. • 3.any group or class of persons having common purposes, interests, etc.: the Medical fraternity. Fraternity and the Idealised male friendship

3. George and Lennie’s friendship has a strong effect on us because with Lennie’s death the men lost a dream that was bigger than themselves. Their dream had grown out of control. It was idealised: • i·de·al·ize •    [ahy-dee-uh-lahyz]  Show IPAverb, -ized, -iz·ing. • –verb (used with object)1.to make ideal;  represent in an ideal  form or character; exalt to an ideal  perfection or excellence. Fraternity and the idealised male friendship cont.

4. Migrant men like the men in “Of Mice and Men” had a hard life. The farm dream took in everyone who heard it. “Given the harsh, lonely conditions under which these men live, it should come as no surprise that they idealise friendships between men in such a way.” • The world is too harsh and predatory a place to sustain such relationships (for example Candy’s dog). • Lennie and George come closest to achieving this ideal “fraternity” but are forced to separate tragically. • Curley and Carlson cannot understand George’s grief. They represent “the world” not acknowledging or appreciating this ideal dream of man uniting in a brotherhood… a perfect world. Cont.

5. Most of the characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’ admit to dreaming of a better life (Curley’s wife, Crooks, Candy, etc…). • Before novel began most have been robbed of these wishes. • Dreams offer protection from inhospitable world – they are dreaming of an ‘ideal’ world. • Lennie’s death proves that paradises of freedom, contentment, and safety are not to be found in this world – it ‘snaps’ them out of their dream, so to speak. Impossibility of the American dream

6. Represents the possibility of freedom, self-reliance, and protection from the cruelties of the world. George and lennie’s farm

7. Represents the victory of the strong over the weak – Lennie fails to recognise his own strength. • Like the innocent animal, Lennie is unaware of the vicious, predatory powers that surround him. Lennie’s Puppy

8. Represents the fate awaiting anyone who has outlived his or her purpose. • Candy’s sentimental attachment to the dog means nothing on the ranch. • Carlson’s insistence that the dog must die supports a cruel natural law that the strong will dispose of the weak. • Candy applies this lesson to himself – he knows he is approaching an age where he too will be of no use. Candy’s dog